Those arguing against vaccine mandates have no legal leg to stand on, says SAHRC

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Monday said citizens who were still arguing about the constitutionality of vaccine mandates and an infringement of their rights had no legal leg to stand on while labour experts were also concerned about how the directives would be enforced.

The discovery of the Omicron variant has put the spotlight firmly on those who are still not jabbed almost a year after South Africa received its first bulk of COVID-19 vaccines.

Government has set up a task team to explore how best to ramp up vaccinations.

Businesses, universities, festival organisers and others are now imposing new rules that will see those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 being excluded from their premises or events.

Science has proven that vaccines are the best way to stop the virus from mutating, forming new variants.

But not everyone agrees that mandatory vaccines are the route to take and SAHRC chair Bongani Majola is warning the private sector that they can’t make up their own rules.

“Government is a government of everybody, private institutions can’t say they can’t be bound by a law of general application, which is passed by Parliament.”

Labour specialist Andrew Levy said he was more concerned about how the government would be able to police companies to make sure they abide by any potential mandatory legislation.

“Will it be done by labour inspectors? They probably aren’t enough to go around. Will wait for complaints from employees? Probably not.”

It’s expected that by next week South Africans will have a clearer idea on what direction the task team has decided to take on the urgent matter.

-EWN

In other news – Kaya FM drama: Unathi Nkayi breathes fire as close friend leaks more dirty secrets

Former radio host Unathi Nkayi has allegedly instructed her legal team to sue Gauteng-based radio station Kaya FM and prominent radio presenter Sizwe Dhlomo after she was dismissed from the station a week ago.

In a video statement released on her Instagram page on Friday, Nkayi confirmed that her lawyers were currently dealing with her dismissal from the radio station following a heated verbal altercation with fellow DJ Sizwe Dhlomo. Learn More

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